Wiim Ultra Surround

[Raanan]

I wonder if wiim can come out with a product that is exactly the same like the Wiim Ultra, only with 5.1 outputs, instead of 2.1.
I know that today stereo listening is more trendy then home cinema, but I am sure that there is a market for people that are interested in killer stereo system that can also make decent surround experience. Wiim Ultra already have hdmi arc support, they just need a few more outputs.
I myself would love to get rid of my avr. High end avrs are extremely pricey, and usually their stereo sound isn't that good. They have way too many inputs and outputs that nobody use (who really care for 11.2 set up?). With a product like "Wiim Ultra Surround" you will be able to choose your own power amplifier and get much better sound, at much lower cost.

 

[Burnside]

Maybe this will be another push to release the WiiM Edition speakers outside the USA otherwise this feature is largely USA only too

 

[kwolter]

So I wasn’t far off…

Would there be a separate device used for the center channel?

 

[Burnside]

Would there be a separate device used for the center channel?

No, read the linked help page: “It automatically processes and plays the Center, Front Left, and Front Right audio channels and the subwoofer channel using an advanced algorithm.”

 

[Wiimer]

Maybe this will be another push to release the WiiM Edition speakers outside the USA otherwise this feature is largely USA only too

As you say, optimistically this feature will trigger the release of WE speakers outside the US.

As an aside, I am concerned that the plan to remove the master device in a persistent group will disappear because the master is required for the surround group .

 

[Burnside]

As you say, optimistically this feature will trigger the release of WE speakers outside the US.

As an aside, I am concerned that the plan to remove the master device in a persistent group will disappear because the master is required for the surround group .

Haven’t they alluded already to removal of the master device being only applicable to certain sources like usb, home music shares etc, but not all? In this case I don’t see the restriction of not being able to remove the master device supporting Dolby being unreasonable, nor do I see it as necessarily impacting those cases where it should still be possible.

 

[Wiimer]

Haven’t they alluded already to removal of the master device being only applicable to certain sources like usb, home music shares etc, but not all? In this case I don’t see the restriction of not being able to remove the master device supporting Dolby being unreasonable, nor do I see it as necessarily impacting those cases where it should still be possible.

Yes, you are correct, but I remember the last time I heard from the team about the master device removal plan was last summer...

 

[kwolter]

No, read the linked help page: “It automatically processes and plays the Center, Front Left, and Front Right audio channels and the subwoofer channel using an advanced algorithm.”

Thanks. So in the case of having the Ultra feeding the front directly - right, left, and sub, how would the center channel content make it there, another device?

 

[Burnside]

Thanks. So in the case of having the Ultra feeding the front directly - right, left, and sub, how would the center channel content make it there, another device?

No, looks like it'll be a virtual centre channel

 

[rccarguy]

No, looks like it'll be a virtual centre channel

Spending time and resources on stupid features

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[kwolter]

Spending time and resources on stupid features

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Possibly, but a fair amount of people seem interested in it.

 

[s3igell]

Spending time and resources on stupid features

Lets see:

• Promote synergy between WiiM and other LinkPlay Divisions
• Leverage existing A10 / C10 functionality to produce a new Class-exclusive Feature
• Gain a Marketing Coup with a Feature none of the Competition has
• Make inroads into the Wireless Soundbar / Wireless Surround Market of large players like Klipsch/Yamaha/Bose

This would look to please the Shareholders.

But, wait... It doesn't have RCCarGuy Seal-of-Approval... Sorry, can't proceed...

 

[Wosi]

I like the idea of being able to upgrade my stereo setup to a full home theater audio system somewtimes in the future.
However, I'm somewhat confused about the setup:

1. Just like @kwolter I don't understand how the center speaker is supposed to be connected to a WiiM Ultra or WiiM Amp because there are onl youtput channels for left, right and subwoofer.
2. It looks like both surround speakers require a separate WiiM device. Is that correct? Why can't one WiiM Pro feed both surround speakers?

 

[Burnside]

1. See comments #43 and #48
2. No, see comment #37

 

[Wosi]

1. See comments #43 and #48
2. No, see comment #37

Thanks, but I don't understand how these comments actually answer my questions, to be honest.

What is a virtual center channel? Is there no real center speaker? If there is an actual center speaker: How to connect it to a WiiM Ultra? Where to plug the cables?

Regarding comment #37: It's a list of supported devices. It does not answer my question if one WiiM Pro can feed both rear speakers or why it can't be used to feed rear left and rear right simultaneously..

Disclaimer: I've never setup a surround home theater system. So I might be missing what's obvious to more experienced users.

 

[hgo58]

Thanks, but I don't understand how these comments actually answer my questions, to be honest.

What is a virtual center channel? Is there no real center speaker? If there is an actual center speaker: How to connect it to a WiiM Ultra? Where to plug the cables?

Regarding comment #37: It's a list of supported devices. It does not answer my question if one WiiM Pro can feed both rear speakers or why it can't be used to feed rear left and rear right simultaneously..

Disclaimer: I've never setup a surround home theater system. So I might be missing what's obvious to more experienced users.

As I read it you can either add another WiiM device as center speaker or have the front stereo speakers to simulate the center.

The rear speakers can both be from one WiiM stereo device or from two separate WiiM speakers.

 

[Wosi]

As I read it you can either add another WiiM device as center speaker or have the front stereo speakers to simulate the center.

The rear speakers can both be from one WiiM stereo device or from two separate WiiM speakers.

Aha, thank you!
So, the most affordable way to expand a WiiM Ultra based stereo setup to a surround system would be:

• placing both front speakers next to the TV in order to use a "virtual center channel" without adding an actual center speaker
• adding one WiiM Pro connected to either
  • a pair of active rear speakers or
  • a stereo amp connected to a pair of passive rear speakers

This setup would only require 4 speakers instead of 5. Later on, one would be able to add yet another another Wiim Pro connected to a real center speaker powered by one more amp. Is that correct?

 

[Wiimer]

Thanks, but I don't understand how these comments actually answer my questions, to be honest.

What is a virtual center channel? Is there no real center speaker? If there is an actual center speaker: How to connect it to a WiiM Ultra? Where to plug the cables?

Regarding comment #37: It's a list of supported devices. It does not answer my question if one WiiM Pro can feed both rear speakers or why it can't be used to feed rear left and rear right simultaneously..

Disclaimer: I've never setup a surround home theater system. So I might be missing what's obvious to more experienced users.

Edit:
I await clarification from the team as my perception could be totally wrong.



This surround system is achieved using the Multi-Room Music feature, which requires at least 3 WiiM devices and a subwoofer to operate in 5.1 ch. A group is created with these WiiM devices and surround sound playback is performed wirelessly.

For example, the configuration could look like this

1)
WiiM amp pro> Front speakers*2
AudioPro A10 WE*1(center)
WiiM Pro> Active speakers*2(surround)
+Sub

2)
WiiM Ultra >Amplifier> Front speakers*2
AudioPro A10 WE*1(center)
AudioPro A10 WE*2(Surround)
+Sub

3 )
WiiM amp pro> Front speaker*2
WiiM Pro > Amplifier > Center speaker*1
WiiM amp > Surround speaker*2
+Sub

 

[Wosi]

This surround system is achieved using the Multi-Room Music feature, which requires at least 3 WiiM devices and a subwoofer to operate in 5.1 ch. A group is created with these WiiM devices and surround sound playback is performed wirelessly.

Now, I'm confused again. Can the center speaker be replaced with a virtualized one?
If yes, then the most affordable setup would require only two WiiM devices.
If not, then what is a virtual center channel?

 

[hgo58]

This surround system is achieved using the Multi-Room Music feature, which requires at least 3 WiiM devices and a subwoofer to operate in 5.1 ch. A group is created with these WiiM devices and surround sound playback is performed wirelessly.

For example, the configuration could look like this

1)
WiiM amp pro> Front speakers*2
AudioPro A10 WE*1(center)
WiiM Pro> Active speakers*2(surround)
+Sub

2)
WiiM Ultra >Amplifier> Front speakers*2
AudioPro A10 WE*1(center)
AudioPro A10 WE*2(Surround)
+Sub

3 )
WiiM amp pro> Front speaker*2
WiiM Pro > Amplifier > Center speaker*1
WiiM amp > Surround speaker*2
+Sub

The center speaker can be virtual.

Read the linked help page: “It automatically processes and plays the Center, Front Left, and Front Right audio channels and the subwoofer channel using an advanced algorithm.”

 

[Wiimer]

The center speaker can be virtual.

Read the linked help page: “It automatically processes and plays the Center, Front Left, and Front Right audio channels and the subwoofer channel using an advanced algorithm.”

However, it does not say "virtual" there.
My guess is that if there is no center speaker, it will just play in 4.1 ch, but I hope I am wrong .

Hopefully the team will be able to provide a more detailed explanation.